Apparatus, method, and system for tracking the game score and service in pickleball

ABSTRACT

A score tracking apparatus for pickleball, wherein the score tracking apparatus is configured to attach to a peripheral edge of the pickleball paddle, thereby affording a method of improving a pickleball paddle as well as a system for enabling one-handed tracking of the score of a pickleball game, whereby players do not have to use their smart phones during a pickleball game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/331,066, filed 14 Apr. 2022, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pickleball accessories and, moreparticularly, to a score tracking apparatus for pickleball, wherein thescore tracking apparatus is configured to attach to a peripheral edge ofthe pickleball paddle, thereby affording a method of improving apickleball paddle as well as a system for enabling one-handed trackingof the score of a pickleball game.

During a game of pickleball, the score is routinely forgotten ordisputed. The problem with the existing phone application solutions isthat players typically do not carry their phones while playing. And evenif they did, they would have to let loose their grip on the handle oftheir pickleball paddle to simultaneously hold their phone andmanipulate its user interface to keep score.

As can be seen, there is a need for a score tracking apparatus forpickleball, wherein the score tracking apparatus is configured to attachto a peripheral edge of the pickleball paddle, thereby affording amethod of improving a pickleball paddle as well as a system for enablingone-handed tracking of the score of a pickleball game, whereby playersdo not have to use their smart phones during a pickleball game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention embodies a mechanical device that is affixed tothe side of a pre-existing pickleball paddle, making this retrofitsystem very convenient to use.

The device provides a mechanical method for tracking the score of apickleball game through adhering a pickleball score tracking apparatusto a peripheral edge of a pickleball paddle.

The score tracking apparatus of the present invention is retrofitted toa pickleball paddle, wherein the score tracking apparatus provides twopoint sliders, one for each player, each point slider being movablealong a respective track, and wherein a slidable button is operativelyassociated with its own track for tracking which player is to serve.

In one aspect of the present invention an apparatus for tracking scoreof a pickleball game, the apparatus includes the following: a framedefining two point tracks; and for each point track, a point slideroperatively associated so as to be fixed during play of a pickleballgame and selectively slidable along the point track for keeping trackingof points of the pickleball game.

In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus furtherincludes the following: a service track defined by the frame; and aservice slider operatively associated with the service track so as to befixed during play of the pickleball game and selectively slidable alongthe service track, wherein the service track is oriented approximatelyperpendicular to the two point tracks, wherein the service track isoriented widthwise of an elongated frame, which has a length distance atleast four times a width distance, wherein the width distance is lessthan a distance of a peripheral edge of a regulation pickleball paddle;further including an adhesive along a rear surface of the frame oppositethe two point tracks, wherein each point track defines a T-shape cavityhaving two opposing pockets, each pocket defined in a part by a flange,and wherein each point slider has one or more grooves for riding alongsaid opposing flanges.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of improving apickleball paddle includes the following: adhering the adhesive of theabove-mentioned apparatus along only a peripheral edge of the pickleballpaddle; and selectively sliding at least one of the two point slidersand the service slider during the pickleball game.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention in use.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating a method of adhering the presentinvention to a pickleball paddle 10.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of an exemplary embodiment of a scoretracking apparatus 12 of the present invention, illustrating movement ofthe point slider to keep track of each player's point total.

FIG. 6 is a detailed section view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 , illustrating how thepoint sliders 16 and 18 operatively associate with the track elements 30and 32 of the score tracker 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a scoretracking apparatus for pickleball, wherein the score tracking apparatusis configured to attach to a peripheral edge of the pickleball paddle,thereby affording a method of improving a pickleball paddle as well as asystem for enabling one-handed tracking of the score of a pickleballgame, whereby players do not have to use their smart phones during apickleball game.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 , the present invention may include ascore tracking apparatus 12 for improving a pickleball paddle 10 and theflow of a pickleball game flow. An adhesive substrate 20 may beconnected to track elements 30 and 32. Specifically, a central trackingelement 30 is disposed between two opposing lateral track elements 32,which are spaced apart from the central tracking element 30 to definetwo tracks: a first track 41 and a second track 42, as illustrated inFIG. 5 .

Each track 41 and 42 may define a T-shape cavity. The arrangement of thecentral tracking element 30 and each lateral track element 32 definesthe sidewalls of the track 41/42, wherein the rear surface of the track41/41 may be (a non-adhesive) surface of the adhesive substrate 20 or,alternatively, a base of a frame of the score tracking apparatus 12 (Thelatter is shown in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 6 .) A lateralflange or lip 34 of a lateral track element 32 defines a lateral pocket35, while a central flange or lip 36 of the central track element 30defines a central pocket 37. The score tracking apparatus 12 may be madefrom durable material—e.g., plastic, metal, or any material suitable forinjection molding or additive manufacturing.

Point sliders 16 and 18 may be dimensioned and adapted to slide alongthe first track 41 and the second track 42, respectively. The pointsliders 16 and 18 each may have one or more grooves 50 for receivingopposing flanges 34 and 36. The fit between the groove(s) and theopposing flanges 34 and 36 may be snug engagement, frictionally engagedsufficiently so that the point slider does not move when the pickleballpaddle 10 is being used for pickleball, but not so snug that a user mayurge the point slide along its track to keep score by moving the pointslider until it is adjacent a one point marking of plurality pointmarkings that are along an outer surface of the score tracking apparatus12.

Like the first and second tracks 41 and 42 and the point sliders 16 and18, there may be a server slider 14 operatively associated in a servertrack having service indicators on opposing sides thereof. The servertrack may be oriented perpendicular relative to the first and secondtracks 41 and 42. The score tracking apparatus frame 12 and the serverand point sliders 14, 16, and 18 may be integral.

The score tracking apparatus 12 is affixed to the side of the paddle 10along its peripheral edge by way of the adhesive substrate 20. In someembodiments, there is no adhesive substrate 20 but rather glue, epoxy,tape, or the like is used to attach a rear surface of the score trackingapparatus 12 frame to the paddle 10. The score tracking apparatus 12 isdimensioned and adapted to fit between the opposing surface of aperipheral edge of a regulation pickleball paddle 10, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 and 4 .

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Thescore tracking apparatus 12 disclosed herein may be provided. A user 22would affix the score tracking apparatus 12 to the side/peripheral edgeof their pickleball paddle 10. Then, while playing a game, the user 22would, while keeping one hand on the handle of the paddle 10, move oneor more of the three server and point sliders 14, 16, and 18 to keeptrack of the score and whose serve it is.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety.Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such arange is incorporated into the specification as if it were individuallyrecited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel,substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees.For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” meansperpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term“length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes ofthis disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object fromside to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above”generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher thananother object although not directly overlying the object. Further, forpurposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication”generally refers to components being in direct physical contact witheach other or being in indirect physical contact with each other wheremovement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “suchas,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scopeof the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential tothe practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as“first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, arewords of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting termsunless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for tracking score of a pickleballgame, the apparatus comprising: a frame defining two point tracks, theframe is elongated having a width distance less than sixteenmillimeters; and for each point track, a point slider operativelyassociated so as to be fixed during play of a pickleball game andselectively slidable along the point track for keeping tracking ofpoints of the pickleball game.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a service track defined by the frame; and a service slideroperatively associated with the service track so as to be fixed duringplay of the pickleball game and selectively slidable along the servicetrack.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the service track isoriented approximately perpendicular to the two point tracks.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the service track is oriented widthwise ofthe elongated frame, which has a length distance at least four times thewidth distance.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the width distanceis less than a distance of a peripheral edge of a regulation pickleballpaddle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an adhesivealong a rear surface of the frame opposite the two point tracks.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein each point track defines a T-shape cavityhaving two opposing pockets, each pocket defined in a part by a flange.8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each point slider has one or moregrooves for riding along said opposing flanges.
 9. A method of improvinga pickleball paddle, the method comprising: adhering the adhesive of theapparatus of claim 6 along only a peripheral edge of the pickleballpaddle; and selectively sliding at least one of the two point slidersand the service slider during the pickleball game.